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L4D: Crash Course DLC Free on PC, $$ on 360

Eurogamer is reporting today that the soon-to-be-released "Crash Course" DLC for Left 4 Dead will not be free (via Shacknews). Chet Faliszek of Valve told Eurogamer that though Valve wanted to release the content free on the Xbox 360, Microsoft has forced it to charge for the content (which will be free on PC).

Faliszek says, "We own our platform, Steam. Microsoft owns their platform. They wanted to make sure there's an economy of value there." He goes on to note that other developers are allowed free content on the Xbox 360 (the first Left 4 Dead DLC, for example), but that it wouldn't be fair to other publishers if Microsoft allowed Valve to release all of its DLC for free. The "Crash Course" DLC will cost $7 (560 Microsoft Points), and will introduce a new campaign to the game.

Tyler says: It was nice playing the new Survival mode for free earlier this year, it's too bad as many players won't play the new campaign. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Crash Course will still be a popular download, and $7 is a fair price. I just wish Microsoft could see the wisdom in Valve's approach: Expanding the content of a game for free is how you develop a community around a specific title. Then again, if there was a constant stream of free content for any particular game, you could see how gamers might be less-inclined to pick up new titles, thereby undercutting Microsoft's software sales. Dirty, or smart business?